Ray pulled up in front of the house anxious to talk to Debra. He had been in counseling for about a month and really felt like he was making great progress. He had not told Debra anything about it in hopes of surprising her. He knocks on the door and pokes his head in.

"Deb," he said

"Hi Ray," She said, "Come on in."

Ray stepped inside and shut the door, "Thanks for letting me come over. I really appreciate it."

"Well you said you really needed to talk. What's going on?"

"Um, I just wanted to tell you that I thought about what you said that night when I said I wanted to get back together." Ray began.

"Look Ray, I shouldn't have been so hard on you. We don't have to get into that." She responded.

"No, no I wanted to tell you that I have been in counseling and I think it is really helping me." He acknowledged.

Debra was stunned, "You really went to counseling? I'm proud of you Ray but don't think that means I want to get back together."

"I know that. I needed to do it for me and for our kids. Even if we don't get back together I want our boys to know how to treat a woman right and I want Ally to know that she deserves to be treated with respect and not to accept less."

Debra felt a lump in her throat, "Ray, that is very touching and I am glad you have started thinking about the example you are setting for the kids."

"Well, hopefully I can make up for some of my mistakes before it is too late. I know you may never want to reconcile but I would like the chance somehow to show you that I am different." He said feeling hopeful.

"Well, how do you plan to do that?" She asked.

"I thought we could, you know, try dating again. We could start all over and see what happens." He suggested.

"Ray, what I am supposed to tell Andy? I can't do that to him." Debra wasn't sure what to do but she didn't want to hurt Andy.

"I know. I just thought well," he paused, "I guess I thought there might be a chance but you're right. I can't expect you to just dump him." Ray said with a hint of sadness.

"Ray, I am very proud of you and I will always care about you. I just don't know what to do. Please give me some time, okay?" She asked.

"Yeah, sure. I won't bother you about it again," he said, "I love you Deb. I always will." He walked out the door leaving Debra speechless.

That night Debra lay in bed unable to sleep. Andy had called earlier from his business trip out of town. She tried to sound normal but she couldn't stop thinking about what Ray had said. Should I give him another chance? How can I do that to Andy? God help me to do the right thing she thought as she watched the digital clock change numbers. She felt like no matter what she did someone would get hurt.